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Can Durham Region, Canada rise to the top for the Amazon bid

Durham Region is Amazon’s right choice for a bright future. That’s the message that resonates throughout a new collaborative website, highlighting the benefits of investing in Durham.

The Durham Region, Canada – Amazon HQ2 Proposal website at durham.ca/amazon outlines why our region is the best choice: access to a large, talented workforce; outstanding quality of life; and the fact that affordable real estate, low-cost commercial and industrial land and competitive development charges make this region an attractive choice for businesses and families.

“Collaboration is what made this process possible, allowing Durham Region to put forth two sites for this transformative opportunity,” said Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “Thank you to everyone who helped showcase our reputation for innovation and creativity; confirm the presence of an educated and highly skilled workforce; highlight our rich cultural heritage and strong creative culture; and demonstrate why Durham Region is one of the fastest growing municipalities in North America.”

The Toronto Global Amazon HQ2 bid included two exceptional sites—the Carruthers Creek Business Area in the Town of Ajax and the Pickering Innovation Corridor. Both locations are appropriately zoned and serviced; readily available to accommodate Amazon’s requirements.

The Carruthers Creek Business Area has over 120 acres of vacant land that could be developed into a modern campus setting, of more than eight million square feet, with lifestyle amenities.

“Ajax Council is thrilled that the Carruthers Creek Business Area in Ajax has been included in the Toronto Region bid for Amazon’s HQ2. The town is committed to attracting high-quality economic development opportunities for our region through our skilled, educated and diverse workforce. We look forward to participating in the process,” said Mayor Steve Parish, Mayor of Ajax.

The Pickering Innovation Corridor consists of 320 acres of development lands, with direct access and exposure to Highway 407.This site includes immediate development capacity of 500,000 square feet, with longer-term growth. The sites are directly adjacent to 9,600 acres of designated federal airport lands, as well as the Seaton community—one of Ontario’s largest planned sustainable urban communities of 70,000 residents.

“With its central location, the Innovation Corridor in Pickering offers an unrivalled opportunity for Amazon to be close and accessible to talent and infrastructure across the Toronto region,” said Dave Ryan, Mayor of Pickering. “This greenfield development will allow Amazon to custom design its HQ2 campus to align with its corporate vision and needs. And with Seaton’s 20,000 residential units currently under construction, employees will have a broad and diverse range of new housing options, which will enable them to live close to work.”

As the eastern gateway of the Greater Toronto Area, Durham Region offers access to more than six million talented people—a diverse and inclusive workforce that is known for being educated, skilled, innovative and creative. One of the fastest growing communities in North America, Durham Region is on track to reach one million residents by 2031.

Durham’s affordable real estate and excellent quality of life help to ensure immigration remains a significant catalyst for growth. The result: a community rich in cultural heritage and strong in creative culture. These assets are complemented by our integrated transportation network of highways, an airport, transcontinental and commuter rail lines, cargo-loading and deep-sea shipping ports.

While the original concept was designed specifically to showcase Durham Region within the Amazon bid, it will also be a valuable tool for other companies looking for serviced greenfield sites in the Toronto region.